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Arteta may finally have a striker | Getty Images
Arsenal have been tipped by Ally McCoist to win the Champions League, however, not everyone agrees with him.
Arsenal’s start to the season could look even better but for Liverpool’s annoying habit of scoring late goals.
A 95th Mo Salah penalty saw them scrape past a defiant Burnley in the latest last gasp winner for Arne Slot’s side. Luck? Maybe, but there is a resilience from the Anfield outfit that Mikel Arteta’s team has to match if it is to take the next step and become champions. One positive indication that they might have what it takes is the goals against column, a solitary goal conceded from an unstoppable free-kick from 35-yards out, the sort of goal that doesn’t get scored every week.
Arsenal tipped to win the Champions League
Goals win games, however, it is a well-known saying that defences win titles and, so far, Arsenal’s has clearly been the best with the additions of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera adding depth and quality to what was already a strong starting XI. A problem in recent years hasn’t been the quality of the best players available, it has been when they weren’t available.
It is this depth that has seen TNT pundit Ally McCoist make a bold claim ahead of the opening fixture of the Champions League campaign against Athletic Club. When asked if Arsenal are the most likely British team to win the Champions League, the Rangers and Scotland legend replied via TikTok: “Agreed, I think the business has been good.” Joe Cole and Michail Antonio were asked the same question, however, they disagreed with the statement without giving their thoughts on why or who they thought might be better equipped. McCoist, after watching Arsenal overcome Nottingham Forest on TNT Sports, has had a change of heart about Arteta’s chances of breaking his Premier League duck saying: "I've got Liverpool to win the league. However, after watching them play at Liverpool, I think Arsenal will go really close."
Arsenal have ‘opportunity’ to win the Premier League
Someone who agrees with McCoist’s sentiment is Shay Given who, speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday the 13th of September, has backed the summer’s recruitment to play a key role in Arsenal’s title chances: “Saliba, (Gabriel) Jesus, Havertz are out as well. Again, the strength in depth now, which they have Champions League, Premier League.
“This is probably the strongest squad I think Arteta has had. This is their opportunity, I feel to win the Premier League this season. If they can keep the majority of this squad fit, even Zubimendi today scoring a header, that’s a rarity isn’t it, him scoring two goals in one game. He must believe, they must believe this is their year.“
Arteta has added depth to the defence and midfield, whilst adding quality to the forward line too, a little bit of luck and opposition teams not scoring free-kicks from 35-yards and both McCoist and Given could well be right.
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